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BOLD R6DJVI6R6 








































































































by Chomas Stood Stevens 
and Hlden Charles Noble. 

r 

Hlwll Shop, Ridgewood, 
New Jersey, jMCJVil. 


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Of this booh 450 copies were printed 
upon band-made paper and fifty copies 
upon 'Japan vellum, this being JSo. 


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Copyright 1901, by frank B. Rae, jr. 


Rere begins Rold Redmere; H Cale, Rold 
by Chomas Cdood Stevens and Hlden Red- 
Charles J^oble; but first is the verse, mere 
Co Relen: H Dedication. 



ICR ghostly rain in our 
faces flung, 

Rle cross in the wind 
the moors of Cime, 

Hnd clamoring challenge 
the eider 6ard — 

Brave in his cloah is the foolish mime- 
Hnd we walk the crimson house of the 
past 

CClith a step that startles a wraith of 
rhyme. 


So shall we come ’mid old regards — 

H love-knot faded, a tarnished sword, 
Che rack and wheel, and trusted cross. 


flold Hnd roistering cup, and worthless 
Red- board; 

mere Lutes long unstrung, and fairest dead, 
Hnd a grisly stain by a ghostly ford. 

Yea, In the twilight days of earth 
Immortal loves burned dear and high; 
Sweet ladles lived & strong men fought, 
Hnd honour kept the right to die: 
Cake then our tale of andent dreams — 
H paean, sinking to a sigh. 


Hnd here begins the tale of BOLD Bold 
RGDJVieRe. Red- 



Befell in the year after 
Baron Robert bad done 
building Bold Redmere, 
tbe third of bis castles, 
that be let cry a great bunt 
in tbe JVortb forest, nigb 
to tbe holdings of tbe Ven- 
ables line, thereupon be moved 
into Bold Redmere bis house- 
hold, with all housings & gear that they 
might carry quich, for tbe Baron let no 
man delay bim — nor woman either, sav- 
ing only tbe Lady Cedilla, bis daughter. 

for two days there plied companies 
between tbe castles, under demand of 
Slbantel tbe Saxon, who was tbe senes- 
chal, fetching tbe wherewithal to main- 
tain a fitting bouse. JHeanwbile Baron 


mere 


fiold Robert rode hardily in the wood, and 
Red- cursed the seneschal and all his weary 
mere train, - albeit my lord was glad to ride 
light across the marches in the purple 
cool of JVIichaelmas-tide. On the second 
day came the Lady Cedilia, and the bux- 
om lady erica her cousin, and Sir Ormus 
de Dauenporte and Geraul his squire, & 
many others of my lord’s folk, trailing 
over the hills and merry for the hunt that 
had been cried to be in the f'lortb ■forest. 

So came they to fiold Redmere, and 
the new halls were filled with scurrying 
& cheer; green things were scattered, and 
laughter rang where the craftsmen had 
just done carving on the oaken panelings. 
Hfine house was fiold Redmere: high 
and grey and stem, with many towers 
and a clear moat; and in it were many 
winding ways, so that scarce any man 
yet knew them all. Rlithin, it echoed 


bravely. JVew rushes were on the floors, Rold 
and Into the great hall might four men Red- 
ride abreast. Rold Redmere lay far to mere 
the north in Baron Robert's holdings, 
and men whispered strange things of its 
building. Belike, they said, the old falcon 
of Redmere will stoop upon the King’s 
land beyond the JVorth forest, and seize 
truage and entail that is now these many 
years the King's,*? But these things no 
man dared say when Robert was by, un- 
less it were voung Sir Ormus. Hnd Sir 
Ormus cared not, nor bespoke him about 
it ,*? Often, when the stones were being 
set, came Sir 'John Venables with some 
of his gentlemen clattering and cursing 
merrily, to look at the place. Hnd once the 
gentlemen chaffed him as he stood look- 
ing, saying that his was a waiting eye 
upon the house. Sir 7ohn said nought, & 
bis comrade in arms, young Sir Rubert 


Rold de la Cote Dargent, quoth lightly that Sir 
Red- "John might look to win the castle If so 
mere be as he could win the Lady Cedilla, that 
rumor spoke most fair ,*? Hnd that his 
hope might be the greater since Sir fiugh 
Secbamps, to whom she had these many 
years been betrothed, had lately died In 
the Roly Land. Chen was Sir 'John wroth, 
and knit his brows and turned his horse 
fiercely away,*? So they followed, nor 
cared to rail at him when he was in so 
evil a mood. 

hunt in the J^orth forest 
fM prospered well, and the cheer 
was high in the castle, for 
I two days all rode steadily, 
Sw and many arrows were not 
sped in vain. Chen for that night 
Baron Robert and all bis folk 
feasted, and red Norman wines flowed 


free as Snglisb ate; and through the halts Rold 
might one smelt whiffs of roasting deer Red- 
and boar and bird,*? Baron Robert was mere 
merry, and sat at the great board as be 
had been a Saxon, flinging now & then 
a mug of ate down the table at Slbantet, 
playfully and for pure mirth. Hnd 61- 
bantel raised a wassail, as his people 
use. Betimes Robert nodded and lay 
across the board. Hnd others likewise, 
save those who fell under it. But 8ir 
Ormus drank sparingly, and afterwhile 
he led the Lady Cedilia, who drank not 
at all — wherefore was she of a pale 
snow-drift beauty -out upon a buttress 
of hewn stone. 

Cbere they sat with their feet swing- 
ing, and watched the moon's mail glisten 
on the moat-water. Hnd 8ir Ormus 
would have taken her in his arms, and 
her head to lie upon his shoulder, but she 


Bold would not have it so. Sir Omiua loved 
Red- ber passingly, and for her be bad left bis 
mere heritage & given bis beep to bis brother 
for bolding, only to be near ber among 
the Baron Robert’s folk. Oris night, the 
longing moon-spirit being within bim, be 
yearned to ber lips, and she put bim off, 
sighing. Later came the lady erica to sit 
with them, swearing lustily that a man 
bad tried to buss ber in the passage. Hnd 
there was an end of the other's dream- 
ing. 



k B6R6 was no bunting 
on the third day, because 
they feasted late, and the 
dawn aroused nobody. 
But the next morning the 
Baron came thundering 
into the courtyard, & bis muscles itched 
for clear ways and galloping. (Ubereat 


the squires and pages were set into a Hold 
merry haste among the horses and hows. Red- 
But when the company was nigh gather- mere 
ed, and there was neighing and laughter 
and playful cursing, so that the walls 
rang with eagerness, came the winding 
of a horn across the moat. Che Baron 
rode out on the bascule, & welcomed 8ir 
■John Venables, who came with Sir Hu- 
bert de la Cote Dargent and some train 
besides, to pay neighborly duty to my 
lord. 

Cbey were a goodly crew, light-armed 
and glittering, with clean, lithe horses. 

Hnd at their head rode Sir “John, whom 
having seen, no man might mistake: be- 
ing of a dark, Italian cast, with curling 
black hair, and a young silken beard; very 
wide of body, yet lean and full of sinew; 
ready of eye & bold of speech, yet smooth 
in courtesy. Hnd in all the north of 6ng- 


Bold land few knights of King Stephen's day 
Red- could match with him. 3 jupon of green 
mere velvet he wore, with facings and tippets 
of otter's shin, and a light coat of link 
mail thereunder. 

Che Baron was more than common 
gracious to Sir “John, and embraced him 
heartily. So they all joined in the hunt, 
and the mingled troops rode merrily all 
day together; ere night they rallied at 
Bold Redmere, & made ready for a hearty 
carousal around the great board. Hnd it 
chanced that my lord liked Sir ^ohn well, 
and Sir 7©hn bespoke him fair,*? Hnon 
they talked openly of the Lady Cedilla, & 
Bold Redmere with its lands for a join- 
ture. ,*? So Sir “John, seeing good winds 
to blow in his sails, asked of the Baron 
his daughter, that was not now betrothed, 
to wife; saying only that as yet he had 
never seen her. 


“J'iay,” quoth my lord, “wilt thou mar- fiold 
ry a strange maid In a dark church?” Red- 
“If she be of thy blood,” answered 8ir mere 
■John boldly. 

Chen my lord slapped the knight's 
shoulder heartily, and swore it was a 
good day in a long year; and that he 
should see the wench and give a sign of 
his liking. But wit ye well Sir John knew 
the maid was fair. 

f'fow the lady 6rica, who was ever an 
eager maiden of quick wit and small 
prudence, hearing that Sir “John had re- 
turned to sup, though she knew nought 
of the truth in the matter, declared to 
Cedilia that he was come as her knight, 
to wed her because she was Baron Rob- 
ert’s child. CClbich the Lady Cedilia dis- 
avowed; she was not like to be married, 
quoth she, out of her own wishing and 
choosing ,»? ffatheless she tired her hair 


fjold with pearls & sat In silks for no reason 
Red- at all, she said, save her own fancy, 
mere Came a page from Baron Robert, and 
told her tire-woman that my lord requir- 
ed his daughter's presence in the hall,*? 
dhereat she rose & went to the window 
to look at the moon, pouting. J'Jow hot 
upon the page's heels came Blbantel, and 
bespoke her fearingly, saying that my 
lord and Sir 'John Venables, his guest, 
awaited her coming. So then she went, 
the lady Srica following. Slbantel and 
two pages bore bright candles by her as 
she had been a saint; and proudly she 
swept into the hall and paused, gazing 
across the board at the Baron's face. 
Chus stoled in shimmering silks she 
stood, and the pearls glowed in her mid- 
night hair; but not so pale were the pearls 
as her white throat, nor so fair as the 
quick rose-leaves in her cheeks; and in her 


eyes a cballange burned. Hold 

Baron Robert turned from ber to Sir Red- 
"Jobn, and she might not mistake tbe mere 
glance. ,*? Cben came Sir John slowly 
across to where she stood, & kneeled blm 
humbly at ber feet, and took ber band to 
kiss It. So for a moment be kneeled, and 
rose, bolding still ber band In bis; then 
most courteously be embraced ber and 
kissed ber brow. Sir Ortnus de Dauen- 
porte bis goblet fell clanging to tbe floor 
where be stood beside tbe table, but be did 
not move. Cbe Lady Cedilla looked Into 
Sir "John's eyes as If she bad known blm 
long, and strangely pale she grew. Rer 
bosom heaved, yet she denied blm not. 
Suddenly she turned and went again to 
ber chamber, leaving them all a-starlng. 

Hnd there she sat long and looked out at 
stars In tbe moat; sometimes weeping, & 
sometimes laughing low. 


ftold 



Red- L OR in a year far bach, when 


her body was just waxing 
round toward womanhood, 
and her f anev still played 
quick & foolish as a child’s 
Cedilla had dreamed of 


mere 


such a meeting, & of a strong, darh man 
of Sir John's very seeming. Cdhat time 
her hand was pledged to Sir Pugh 
Bechamps, albeit by the dream she knew 
that never would she be his bride. 

Hnd often in the night she had walhed 
with phantom candles about her, and 
pearls heavy in her hair; coming always 
into a great darh-hung hall where many 
folh stood waiting; always she knew her- 
self to pause and gaze across to where 
her father stood; & always a lusty, green- 
clad knight with straight black brows 
came slowly & made salutation. Chen the 


tbe fog of sleep bad ever shifted, so tbat Rold 
sbe was by tbat knight in merry woodland Red- 
ways. Hnd sbe could see tbe sun through mere 
tbe partings of tbe trees, and tbe golden 
mottlings on tbe dead leaves tbat covered 
tbe floor of tbe forest like dried blood; 
or they fared homeward when tbe yare 
good winds lasbed tbeir faces so tbat tbe 
bright stars pierced through tears. Hnd 
always was this knight by her Hnon 
they danced to unearthly tunes, amid a 
merry rout in a ball where great fires 
blazed. ,*? Hnd in tbe dance a fool came 
clamoring & shook bis bells in her face, 
crying tbat tbe Lady Cedilia, who danced 
so blithely now, would soon be a fat old 
wife by another beartb; but sbe only 
smiled, and tbe dark eyes tbat alone were 
real to ber smiled also. Cben came other 
pageantry of dreams. 

,*? Sbe bound a favor from ber gown 


Rold upon a helm that gleamed blue of steel, 
Red- and then she watched the helm, that never 
mere wavered In hardy courses; St because the 
helm fell not she was glad, albeit many 
whom she knew went down before it. 

Hnon she sat with him and men played 
before them masques and miracles: bow 
the saints bore them when they were alive 
and the ways of f roward devils; proces- 
sions of strange kings, St witches in pain. 
^?Cbe masque turned to open lanes and 
fields of daisies under fair skies, where 
they walked with sweet upliftings of 
spring's ichor in their hearts. Or it was 
night, and a warm red moon strewed 
the grey silent sea with eager little 
flames. Sometimes her hand in bis trem- 
bled, but it was not afraid. 

But always at the last there was a 
comer of great walls, St the white face of 
a haggard boy in a cowl; and shuddering, 



shrill cries that woke her, shuddering too. 

O 01 It was nigh three 
years since first this 
khnight of the vision came 
'to woo her in her sleep. 
She had told nor witch nor 
any reader of dreams, be- 
ing maidenly & not proud of her lovers, 
and more secret of those she knew not. 
But Sir Ormus she told, since him she 
liked well, and felt doleful sometimes 
that she could never love him as he 
would have her do. Hnd Sir Ormus 
knew when first her eyes lit at Sir 
■John’s sight, that it was a love-light, 
and that her dream was found. 

Hnd so with Sir John she wandered 
now through the fields in the bright fall 
weather, and the skies were blue above. 
Sir John gave over the hunting and set 


Rold 

Red- 

mere 


Bold blmself to woo and learn the heart of 
Red- this maid that was to be bis. <Hben tbat 
mere many days bad passed thus, & Slrjobn 
was urging ber tbat they might be swift- 
ly wed, and she denying blm from pure 
maldenllness, and Baron Robert cursing 
roundly at the utter simpleness of wom- 
an, tbat thing came to be wblcb Cedilla 
bad awaited, for though Sir ^fobn was 
a strong knight, and like In all ways to 
the love of ber dreams, yet she wondered 
still wbat might mean tbat last vision, 
tbat dark, terrible Imagery of swift 
strokes, loud cries, and the stain of 
blood. 

On this day the bunt bad ended, for 
there bad been snow, and the sport was 
not good. Cbe riders came back early 
and all were a-weary of the bunting. So, 
sulky and silent, they rode up to the 
castle and Into the courtyard, Where 


came presently the Lady Cedilla, attired field 
to ride, for the sun was yet high. Cdbom Red- 
Sir *Jobn awaited, and ere they brought mere 
forth her borse be talked with her in the 
arcb-way. Cdbile they talked there drew 
near an acolyte from the chapel, <& told 
Sir John that a monk asked speech of 
him. 

“Besbrew him," quoth the knight, “X 
care not!” 

“fie bath waited all the day,” said the 
acolyte. 

Che Lady Cedelia looked Sir 'John 
full sweetly in the eyes, so that be for- 
got all, watching her. She asked of him 
that be should see this monk; and forth- 
with he demanded that the monk be sent 
to him. fie drew aside, to the angle of 
the keep, where none could hear, and held 
speech with the man, who came clad in a 
monkish robe and cowl of goodly full- 


fiold ness; the Lady Cedilla watching them 
Red- the while. 

mere Che monk she could not well see, save 
only that he was of slight stature, and 
spoke wildly as one distraught; but Sir 
John’s voice was deep, & he turned soon 
away as if he had been angry, bending 
bis steps toward her. Che monk follow- 
ed, stretching out his lean band as like 
to stay him, and bis face was to Cedilia. 
She saw and remembered; for it was the 
gaunt youth with blazing eyes, as she 
had dreamed aforetime. 

“Chou graceless devil,” cried the 
monk, bis voice haunting shrill, “ wilt 
tbou — I say to thee — wilt thou — ” 
Sir “John turned again thereat, and 
with a stride was upon him. Ris mighty 
hands gripped the youth's throat, shak- 
ing him like a rat. Chen be shook no 
longer, but only held hard. Re loosed 


bis grip, and the robe sank into a grisly Rold 
heap, one arm lying straight out. Hnd Red- 
f rom the dead face a serpent of blood mere 
sneaked out over the snow. Che Lady 
Cedilia clung to the cold casement, and 
her knees scarce bore her up. 

“Ruel,” quoth Sir 'John to his squire, 

''take thou away this carrion!” Curned 
he then to the portal, and beheld Cedilia 
there, and to her he came straightway, 
as ready to let her know the cause of 
such strange & bloody doings. But she 
shrank from him & stood up proud and 
wild. 

" 6et hence, thou graceless,” she cried 
hoarsely. 

"Re was no monk — ” 

"1 care not ! ” 

"Re was only a starveling clerk, that 
wore a cowl to cheat them that wear 
swords.” 


“ fie was unarmed and unsbriven! 
Red- Chou bast slain bim so." 
mere “]Mytady-” 

“Begone! Chou art no good bnigbt. 
X will not have ado with tbee more. 
JVever — X nor my bouse! ” 

Chen, weeping silently, sbe went from 
bim to seek tbe Baron Robert, or Sir 
Ormus, or tbe lady erica, — sbe eared 
not wbicb sbe might find. 



CRHI6RC to tbe 
ball sbe went; ber face 
was pale save for two 
red patches that flamed 
in ber cheeks for anger, 
or maybap for maiden 
shame at things past with Sir “John, 
every kiss that be bad set upon ber lips 
pressed again and stung ber. Che Baron 
Robert sbe came upon where be was 


among bis bounds, and of him sbe de- Bold 
mandcd tbat be should listen. Red- 

“Rlit ye, my father,” quotb sbe, “X mere 
will have nought ado with this Sir 'John 
Venables tbat thou bast chosen for me.” 

CQbereat was be bereft of speech for 
wonder, so tbat be answered her nothing, 

“I have seen,” sbe cried pitifully, 

“and I will none of him. Be bath here 
most foully slain a monk tbat defended 
not himself. ,*? J'for cleanly bath be done 
this with steel, but with bis bands only, 
like a beast. Hnd me may the Virgin 
help, an tbou sendest him not away.” 

“Blood of Saint Hndrew ! Cbey have 
lied to thee. Be is a good knight & tbou 
sbalt wed him, or deny him at the price 
of tby skin.” 

“J^ay, X saw him do this killing." 

“Cbe jointure makes a great bolding 
in the north—” 


fiold "Hb, my father, forget thou entails, 
R- ec *- and bethink thee of tby child and thine 
honour. Chere lies the unshriven corse 
in the courtyard.” 

She fell at bis feet, moaning with 
sheer pain and the great fear that was 
on her. Be strode bach & forth through 
the hall many times, and still she wept. 
Chen he went cut and took a horse, and 
rode over the marches, muttering and 
spurring bard. Cbe sun fell, and the 
blood-stains from earth crept up into 
the sky. Baron Robert turned his horse's- 
head at length, and came hard homing to 
Bold Redmcre. 



leHNdBILe a9 be 
was gone, came Sir Or- 
mus de Dauenporte and 
found Cedtlta there 
weeping beneath a win- 
'dow. In all the while 
since first Sir 7obn bad come to the cas- 
tle, had Sir Ormus avoided her, mislik- 
ing to matte bis sorrow brave before her. 
Yet in his eyne had she seen yearning 
whensoever they had met, and grief also, 
blow finding her weeping, bis love grew 
hot again, & he made bold to come and 
bespeak her kindly, touching the reason 
for her tears. 

for some while she might not answer 
for sobbing, & be lifted her up tenderly; 
she wept with her face against his 
shoulder, so that bis heart was wild 
within him. C. “ I pray 

thee, my lady, tell me what grieveth 


Bold 

Red- 

mere 


Bold thee,” he besought her; and at last she 
Red- said, very low : 

mere “I grieve me that he, that I denied 
thee for, Is unworthy. Hnd because X am 
betrothed to Sir 'John Venables, whom 
X love not, & belike my father will make 
me wed him. Hnd that X have caused 
thee sorrow, and that my dreams have 
come to truth as their worst foreto- 
kened.” 

She wept awhile longer, and clasped 
her fingers about his hand. "Hnd he 
hath foully slain a boy that came weap- 
onless to him, and the blood crawled 
along the snow — and for him X denied 
thee!” 

Hlbelt Sir Ormus was wroth with Sir 
John at that, he was glad within him 
that his lady turned to him again. Hnd 
he took her In his arms, confortlng her 
as he might, kissing her hair, & asking 


what she would have him do, — for that Rold 
would be, though he died. Ht that she Red- 
lifted up her face and besought him by mere 
bis love that he should see that Sir 'John 
free her of her promise to wed with him. 

Sir Ormus swore that be would do it if 
the power therefor lay in bis body; upon 
bis knightly honour he swore it. Re 
kissed her lips, and she denied him not. 

f O he went to seek the Baron 
Robert and 'John Venables; 
of whom the first had not 
yet come back, and the other 
he found in the courtyard 
with bis squire, who had 
just done burying the dead body of the 
monk. 

u CClit ye, Sir John Venables,” quoth 
Sir Ormus , 44 that no longer shalt thou 
abide in this house; and that the Lady 


Bold CedUia will see tbee never again ! ” 

Red- Sir *Jobn glared at bim fiercely under 
mere bis straight black brows, & bespoke bim 
scornfully. 

“Speakest tbou, sirrab, for my lord 
of Redmere, or out of tbine own beggar- 
ly brain-pan? 'Os an ill day when Baron 
Robert cboosetb tbee to send away bis 
guests ! ” 

“ X speak for my sweet lady Cedilia, 
and X will make good my word witb my 
body.” 

“Bring me to tby master for an ans- 
wer ! ” 

“ Hs X am tby peer in arms, X defy 
tbee. Cbou art attainted of unclean 
murder.” 

Xn tbrougb tbe gate came tbe Baron 
riding; and stopped, seeing some ado 
amongst tbe people in tbe courtyard. 

“Cbou liest, tbou bound,” cried Sir 


"John, & be flung bis gage on the ground Rold 
between them. Sir Ormus sprang for- Red- 
ward to take it up. But ere be could 
reacb it the Baron Robert rode over it, 
checking bis borse & defending tbe gage 
witb bis sword. 

“ Let it lie,” quotb be sternly. " I for- 
bid it to ye all ! Sir lobn Venables, I 
pray tbee let this matter carry no fur- 
ther.” 

“ JMy borse,” said Sir “John to bis 
squire. “Is it true, my lord, tbattby 
daughter meanetb to break faith with 
me?” 

" Be that as my daughter will,” said 
tbe Baron, and no man might misread 
tbe words. 

“JMy lord, I bid ye farewell,” said Sir 
7obn coldly. 

Baron Robert bowed and saluted him 
witb bis sword. Sir John’s folk gather- 


Bold ed about him, making ready with tbeir 
Red- horses to depart. Hnd Sir fiubert de la 
mere Cote Dargent came to Sir Ormus, and 
spoke low to him, saying : 

“If thou wilt come to the bare dune 
to the north of the river, an hour ere the 
moon sets, I will engage thou wilt find 
them there that will give thee welcome.” 

“I will come,” said Sir Ormus. 

So they rode away and left the Baron 
still mounting guard over the gage. 
CClben they were gone he dismounted and 
took it up. 

“I pray thee, my lord, give me the 
glove," said Sir Ormus to him. “ I will 
give him fair chance to redeem it.” 

Baron Robert looked him long in the 
face, & measured his body with his eyes. 
Chen gave he the glove over to Sir Or- 
mus, and he put it in his belt. 



IR ORJMGS went to 
find 6eraul, his squire, 
and together they looked 
to his armour and their 
horses, against the time 
ere the moon set, when 
Sir "John was to do his best endeavor to 
redeem the gauntlet. Hnd when everything 
was ready, Sir Ormus went lightly to 
meat; being now set to battle for bis 
love, his heart was glad. 

Cinder a lamp in a passage the Lady 
Cedilia met him, and be bespoke her joy- 
fully, saying that she need have no fear, 
for the Baron would not make her wed 
unwillingly. Cbereat she clasped him, 
laughing and weeping, & let cry her heart 
for the mercy of it. thus her hand 
fell upon the gage in his belt, and she 
knew it for Sir John bis gage. Chen she 


Bold 

Red- 

mere 


Rold looked Ormus in the eyes, saying nought; 
Red- and In after time, her face as It was then 
mere came bach to him often in the night. 

In good hour rode Sir Ormus & Oeraut 
out, & set their faces to the north where 
the river flickered. Over the marches lay 
stillness, & the moon on the snow-patch- 
es trimmed the night's robe with ermine; 
no breath stirred the leaves that were 
ripe to rustle, and even the sound of 
the hoof-beats was unseemly. JSo word 
they spoke on the way to the river, nor 
yet when the water plashed about their 
stirrups in the ford. Hcross the river they 
got off their horses, and waited; the fame 
of the Venables house came like a ghost 
& gripped Sir Ormus' heart, but be was 
not afraid,*? Cbere was noise of distant 
galloping, and black forms of horsemen 
blocked out the stars above the dune's 
north reach. Sir ^fobn paused at the end 


of the level, and Sir Rubert rode to meet fioid 
Geraul. Red. 

" My lord will fight afoot, with eword mere 
and shield,” said Geraul. "Che light Is 
III for tilting, and our horses are chilled 
from the ford.” 

"Hs Sir Ormus wills,” quoth Sir Ru- 
bert lightly. So he went back &■ the two 
knights came together In the open, hav- 
ing doffed their scabbards and jupons. 

Hnd then Sir Rubert and Geraul and the 
pale moon saw such fighting as few 
kings-at-arms have beheld in open trials. 

Che knights were in all matters equal 
save renown, wherein Sir lohn was by 
far the greater /P But when swords and 
shields clamor against each other, fame 
is a distant echo. Che moon edged the 
circling blades with cold fire, and din of 
battle died on the grim dunes. Cbrice they 
came together, & slashed full mightily for 


Rold long time, trasing and traversing full 
Red- knightly; & with each bout drawing off 
mere and standing apart to breathe deep and 
wonder. 

Hs they closed in the fourth bout, when 
the moon was westering low, and the 
spring had gone out of their sinews for 
much hacking, Sir John’s sword, swing- 
ing high, overleapt shield & guard, and 
shore the thongs of Sir Ormus’ helm. 
Only the leather it cut, for the helm was 
of tough grey steel that gave out fire but 
yielded not. But it left the helm loose. 
Sir Ormus swung again, under the shield, 
but could not reach the leg. ft Hs he re- 
covered, the helm listed over the left eye. 
Re shook his head to straighten it, turn- 
ing his face away. Chen Sir 'John his 
sword flashed in like an unknightly 
flame — thrusting foully at the face. 
Chrough the right eye it clove, under the 


nose-piece, and into the left eye-socket. Rold 
In the instant's wrenching pang 8ir Or- Red- 
tnus cried out, & seized the sword with mere 
his shield hand. Sir John strove to get 
it bach, but in the leather gauntlet-palm 
it stuck fast. 

Sir Ormus struck once, blindly, and 
his blade clove under the arm to the 
pulsing life. Che tug at the sword ceas- 
ed, & a muffled crash came like the last 
fright of a dream. 6eraul caught Sir 
Ormus in his arms and the blood from 
the eyeless face streamed over his 
shoulder. Yet Sir Ormus clutched both 
swords, and would not let them go till 
he swooned. 

Sir Rubert de la Cote Dargent covered 
Sir John's corse with bis cloak, and be- 
took himself over the marches to get 
friends who would carry it home. 6er- 
aul brought water in a helmet to bathe 


Rold Sir Ormus bis face, and bound a cloth 
Red- about bis bead. Came Sir Ormus' soul 
mere back to bis body, & be moaned deep for 
the pain of blindness; but there was 
comfort to him a soldier, for be knew 
bis last stroke bad gone borne. ^PGeraul 
set him on bis borse, & they rode slowly 
bach to Rold Redmere, wbitber the pale 
dawn companioned them. 


6RHQL shouted as they 
came to tbe moat, and the 
clatter of tbe bascule chains, 
aroused Sir Ormus, who 
bad ridden tbe long road 
unheeding and silent. Che 
portcullis opened, and they 
came into tbe courtyard. HU tbe castle 
was awakened by tbe falling of tbe draw- 
bridge, and among tbe first tbe Baron 
Robert greeted them. 

"Row was it sped?" asked tbe Baron. 



“ Sir Ormus fumbled at We belt, and ftold 
gave over tbe gauntlet to him. Cbe Bar- Red- 
on turned to Geraul, but tbe lad was Kite mere 
one walking In a dream — too dazed to 
beed. Hfter a moment Sir Ormus spoke, 
and bis voice was quavering like a child's. 

u X shall not see again, my lord,” be 
said, "but I defended it.” 

Baron Robert knew that Sir John 
was fallen, and bis heart warmed. So 
took be Sir Ormus from tbe horse into 
bis arms, & bore him into tbe ball, and 
laid him on a couch of bearskins. 3s be 
sat down by tbe young man's feet a 
flame lit in bis eyes, for be bethought 
him bow tbe thing must have been done. 

“ Old Sir "John Venables, whose son 
tbou bast fought, bad ever a foul trick 
of fowling. X should have warned thee, 
boy. Cbe thought to thrust is in their 
blood.” & Hnd though be said no more, 


Bold he was looking down on Sir Ormus as 
Red- tenderly as a woman when the Lady Ce- 
mere dilia came. She was smiling as she laid 
her white hand on the bandage. ,*? Ber 
father stood up. 

“Let the wrappings be, child,” quoth 
the Baron. “Be will bleed if they be 
loosed.” 

She looked at him a query; be shook 
his head sadly, and went out of the hall. 
But still she smiled, though her eyes 
were weeping. SHben she could speak she 
bade them all begone, and sat herself 
down by him, stroking bis band with 
trembling fingers. Be started up, and 
caught her hands in his. 

“ I will go, sweet,” be cried. “ X am 
broken and blinded — and X bless thee 
for the love X bear thee. X will go from 
Bold Redmere, and thou shalt be free. ” 

“ Nay» X would never be free then — 


nor am X now, when X am thine.” Rold 
fiie hand clutched here; his hope rose Red- 
as her temptation died. mere 

“Hh, Cedilia, if X might — with hon- 
our — ” he said softly. 

“ So it shall be,” said she, and her 
smile came again, and there was a light 
of joy upon her face. 

“5Cle shall walk quiet ways, and X 
shall see for both of us ; so shall my 
hand be in thine, as it likes me well to 
have it. Cde can sit together in the spring- 
time, and the birds that woo will not 
make mock of us.” 

Re sighed deeply. "Che years are long, 
and X shall never see." 

" Che years are cruel too, as they are 
sweet. Chou wilt not know when X am 
young no longer, ft Let us not be sad! 

Chou wilt not see the winter come into 
my hair.” 


Rere ends the tale, ROLD R6DJVI6R6 
as written by Chomas deed Stevens 
and Hlden Charles J'foble. JMade Into a 
book at Hlwll Shop, Ridgewood, J^ew 
Jersey, by the following persons: — 
frank B. Rae, jr., designer, francls H. 
Bowen, printer, and €lgie f. Bowen, 
illuminator. December, 1901. 




























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